Driving in Seychelles is the best way to see the islands. It's also the part of the trip that makes first-timers nervous.
You drive on the left. Roads climb steep hills. Lanes are narrow, and some roads end in a drop instead of a kerb.
Good news: most visitors cope fine once they know the rules. This guide to driving in the Seychelles is built around the questions in Papa Car Rental's own FAQ and driver guide, UK government travel advice and published road-safety data. Papa Car Rental says it has served 8,000+ customers across Mahé and Praslin, so these are real-world answers, not theory.
| Question | Quick answer |
| Which side? | Left. Rental cars are right-hand drive. |
| Licence? | Valid national licence, accepted for up to 3 months. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is needed only if your licence isn't in Latin letters. |
| Minimum rental age | 21, with at least 1 year of driving experience (Papa Car Rental). |
| Speed limits | 40 km/h built-up. 60 to 65 km/h open roads on Mahé. 80 km/h on the Victoria to airport highway. 40 km/h on Praslin. |
| Alcohol | Legal limit 0.08%. Papa Car Rental's insurance requires zero. |
| Emergency numbers | 999 or 112. Mahé police: +248 428 8000. |
| Petrol price | About €1.56 per litre (September 2026). |
- Drive left, drive slow. The low limits exist because the roads twist.
- Pick a small automatic. It's cheaper and easier on narrow lanes.
- Skip night driving in the hills. There's almost no street lighting outside the towns.
- Know your excess. Budget cars carry a €1,000 excess; SUVs €2,000 or more.
Can tourists drive in Seychelles?
Yes. Visitors can drive in Seychelles on a valid national driving licence for up to three months. You only need an International Driving Permit if your licence isn't written in Latin letters, such as Chinese, Korean or Russian licences. Rental companies add their own rules: Papa Car Rental requires drivers to be 21 or older with one year's experience.
Bring three things to the handover desk:
- Your booking confirmation (email or WhatsApp message).
- Your original driving licence. It must be valid and in Roman alphabet.
- Your passport.
Extra drivers must be present at handover with their own licence. UK drivers should note that the UK government says a paper licence may need updating to a photocard, or an IDP, and that hire firms often set stricter rules than the law. Some international booking sites list a minimum age of 23 and three years' experience, so always check the supplier's terms before you pay.
Which side of the road do you drive on in Seychelles?
Seychelles drives on the left, and rental cars are right-hand drive, just like the UK, India, Australia and South Africa. If you normally drive on the right, spend your first ten minutes in a quiet car park. Roundabouts run clockwise, so give way to traffic already on the roundabout coming from your right.
Your first drive will probably be from the airport. Mahé's main stretch between Victoria and the airport is the only road with an 80 km/h limit, so settle into your lane before you build speed.
Handover tip: Papa Car Rental delivers cars to Mahé and Praslin airports, ferry jetties, hotels and guest houses. A representative meets you at arrivals with your name on a welcome board, and you inspect the car for scratches together before you drive off.
What are the speed limits in Seychelles?
The limit is 40 km/h in built-up areas and 60 to 65 km/h on open roads in Mahé, rising to 80 km/h on the highway between Victoria and the airport. Praslin is 40 km/h around the whole island. Fixed and mobile speed cameras operate, so follow the posted signs rather than a guidebook.
| Road type | Mahé | Praslin |
| Built-up areas | 40 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Open roads | 60 to 65 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Victoria to airport highway | 80 km/h | n/a |
Why so slow? Mahé's highest peak, Morne Seychellois, rises to 905 metres, and the roads follow the terrain. The World Health Organization notes that every 1% rise in average speed lifts fatal-crash risk by about 4%, so the low limits are worth respecting.
*Sources differ on open-road limits (60 km/h in Papa Car Rental's driver guide, 65 km/h on rental-comparison sites). Treat the roadside sign as the final word.*
What are the main road rules and penalties in Seychelles?
Everyone must wear a seatbelt, front and back, and hand-held phones are banned. The legal alcohol limit is 0.08%, but rental insurance, including Papa Car Rental's, is void if you drive after any alcohol. Drink-driving can bring a fine of SCR 18,000, a prison sentence and licence suspension.
Seatbelts: the WHO says wearing one can cut the risk of death for occupants by up to 50%.
Phones: hands-free only. The WHO reports phone users are about four times more likely to crash.
Pedestrians: there are no sidewalks on many roads, so expect people walking on the verge.
Buses: local bus drivers don't hang about. Give them room.
Off-road and beaches: driving on beaches or non-drivable mountain tracks voids your cover.
Police: the highway police enforce rules strictly, and speed cameras are in use.
Papa Car Rental's insurance also won't apply if an accident isn't reported to the police, if you leave the scene, or if you break local traffic rules. Read the terms once, properly.
What are the roads really like on Mahé?
Mahé has one main coastal ring road plus a few roads crossing the mountains. Expect steep gradients, tight bends, narrow lanes and drops with no kerb. Victoria is the only real traffic hotspot. Most visitors manage well in a small automatic if they go slowly and avoid driving after dark.
Here's what to expect once you're out there:
- Mountain passes: use the L or 2 gear setting on long descents so you don't overheat the brakes.
- Night driving: there's no street lighting outside the main towns, and animals and pedestrians can appear in the dark.
- Victoria: busiest at rush hour. Park once and walk.
- Theft: minor car crime happens at busy spots such as Beau Vallon and Victoria. Never leave valuables visible.
- Parking at beaches: often informal dirt spots. Some hotel car parks are for guests only.
Want a route to practise on? Our one-day Mahé drive covers the best beaches without the mountain stress.
Is driving on Praslin easier than Mahé?
For most drivers, yes. Praslin has a coastal ring road plus a road across the Vallée de Mai, and the limit is 40 km/h island-wide. Traffic is lighter, though lanes narrow in places. There are only two petrol stations, so fill up before heading to remote beaches.
Praslin is home to the Vallée de Mai, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and several of the island's best beaches sit a short drive apart. That makes a small car perfect.
Papa Car Rental delivers on Praslin to the domestic airport (PRI) and to both ferry terminals, Catcocos and Catrose. Budget cars on Praslin start at €35 a day.
Can you drive on La Digue or take a rental car between islands?
No. Papa Car Rental's cars can't be taken from one island to another, so book a separate car for Mahé and for Praslin. You can pick up and drop off at different places, including ferry jetties. La Digue has very little traffic, and most visitors explore it by bicycle.
Smart island-hopping looks like this:
- Collect your Mahé car at the airport and explore the island.
- Return it at the Mahé jetty (Catcocos ferry terminal) on the day you leave.
- Take the ferry, or Air Seychelles' roughly 20-minute flight, to Praslin.
- Collect your second car at the Praslin jetty or airport.
Free delivery and collection at hotels, airports and jetties makes the swap painless.
Is it safe to drive in Seychelles?
Generally yes, if you're prepared. Seychelles recorded 18 road deaths in 2022, a record high according to the Ministry of Health. The main risks are narrow roads, steep drops, pedestrians on the road edge, night driving and the occasional drink-driver. Drive slowly and avoid dark mountain roads to stack the odds in your favour.
The numbers are small in absolute terms but still worth taking seriously. A published study of Seychelles death records found road traffic injuries were the leading cause of traumatic brain injury deaths, at 48%. The UK government also warns that drink-driving is a problem, so other drivers can behave unpredictably.
Your 6-point safety checklist:
- Be at your accommodation before dark.
- Keep to the limit, especially on bends and downhill stretches.
- Zero alcohol if you're driving.
- Photograph the car at handover, including tyres and glass.
- Keep your phone in a holder and use hands-free only.
- Save 999 or 112 and your rental rep's number before you set off.
Which rental car is best for Seychelles roads?
A small automatic suits most visitors: it's easy to park, forgiving on narrow lanes and cheap to run. Choose an SUV only for bigger luggage loads or steep accommodation. Papa Car Rental's budget cars start at €35 a day on Praslin and €38 on Mahé, with SUVs from €43.
| Your trip | Best pick | Mahé / day | Praslin / day |
| Couple, light bags | Suzuki Alto or Hyundai i10 | €38 | €35 |
| Comfort on the hills | Suzuki Swift or Dzire | €43 to €45 | n/a |
| Family of four | Suzuki Breeza SUV | €55 | €45 |
| Group of six or seven | Suzuki XL6 or Ertiga | €75 | €75 |
*Prices from papacarrental.com, October 2026, per day, "or similar". Confirm live rates when booking.*
Every Papa Car Rental booking includes unlimited mileage, taxes, free delivery and collection, collision damage waiver and one free additional driver. You can also add a Garmin GPS with a Seychelles map.
How much does driving in Seychelles cost?
Budget about €35 to €55 a day for a small car with Papa Car Rental, plus fuel and optional cover. Petrol averaged around €1.56 a litre in September 2026, up roughly 32% from €1.18 a year earlier, according to Rhino Car Hire's price tracker. Mileage is unlimited, so distance isn't a cost.
| Cost item | What to know (Papa Car Rental, October 2026) |
| Car hire | Budget €35 to €55/day. SUVs €43 to €80/day. |
| Included | Unlimited mileage, all taxes, free delivery/pickup, CDW insurance, one extra driver. |
| Excess (deductible) | €1,000 on budget cars. €2,000 or more on SUVs. |
| Safety Excess Reducer | €10/day. Cuts a budget car's excess from €1,000 to €500. |
| Tyre and glass protection | €5/day on budget cars, €10/day on SUVs. Standard cover excludes glass and tyres. |
| Extra hours | €10 for one hour, €20 for two. |
| Child seats | €5/day for baby seats and booster seats. |
| Payment | No deposit or card pre-authorisation. Pay on delivery by cash, Visa or Mastercard. |
Fuel up before you return the car: Papa Car Rental asks you to return it at the same fuel level as pickup. On Praslin, remember there are only two petrol stations.
What should you do if you have an accident or breakdown?
1. Stay at the scene and leave the vehicle where it stopped.
2. Assist anyone injured and call 999 or 112 if needed.
3. Report the accident to the police and to your rental rep.
4. Take the other driver's details and photograph the scene.
5. Don't settle privately. It invalidates your cover.
Papa Car Rental also publishes Praslin police numbers on its FAQ page, so save them if you're staying there.
Where can you park in Seychelles?
Park in the shade where you can, lock the car, and keep valuables out of sight.
What do rental teams wish every visitor knew?
These tips come straight from how Papa Car Rental runs its Mahé and Praslin bookings.
- Share your flight number. If your flight is early or late, message WhatsApp +248 2780 254 and the car will be delivered to match.
- Book early for peak months. July to August and December see the highest demand.
- Look for your name board. Representatives wait at arrivals and jetties.
- Walk round the car at handover. Note existing scratches together.
- Don't take it onto beaches or rough tracks. Cover doesn't apply there.
- Add a GPS. A Garmin with a Seychelles map is available on request.
- Match your car to your island. One car per island, so plan your ferry day.
- Check your season. The northwest monsoon runs December to March, the southeast from May to October.
Car Rental Insurance Explained in 60 Seconds
CDW is not full insurance. It limits what you pay if the car is damaged, but you still owe an excess, which is the first slice of any repair bill. Papa Car Rental's excess is €1,000 on budget cars and €2,000 on SUVs.
Two excess reducers bring that number down. The safety reducer (€10 a day) cuts the excess to €500 on budget cars and €1,500 on SUVs. The extra safety reducer (€20 a day) cuts it to €300 and €1,000. Our plans are listed as no-deposit, but confirm the current terms in the full terms when you book.
Before you buy extras, check what you already have. Consumer regulators such as the US Federal Trade Commission advise renters to see what their own travel insurance or credit card already covers, since paying twice is common.
One rule to remember: our insurer requires drivers to be 100% alcohol-free, even though the legal limit in Seychelles is 0.08%. A single drink can put your cover at risk.
Car Rental Insurance Explained in 60 Seconds
CDW is not full insurance. It limits what you pay if the car is damaged, but you still owe an excess, which is the first slice of any repair bill. Papa Car Rental's excess is €1,000 on budget cars and €2,000 on SUVs.
Two excess reducers bring that number down. The safety reducer (€10 a day) cuts the excess to €500 on budget cars and €1,500 on SUVs. The extra safety reducer (€20 a day) cuts it to €300 and €1,000. Our plans are listed as no-deposit, but confirm the current terms in the full terms when you book.
Before you buy extras, check what you already have. Consumer regulators such as the US Federal Trade Commission advise renters to see what their own travel insurance or credit card already covers, since paying twice is common.
One rule to remember: our insurer requires drivers to be 100% alcohol-free, even though the legal limit in Seychelles is 0.08%. A single drink can put your cover at risk.
Driving in Seychelles: your questions answered
Ready to start driving in Seychelles?
Driving in the Seychelles is easier than it looks. Remember the basics: drive left, keep to 40 km/h in built-up areas, skip night driving in the hills and choose a small automatic.
Papa Car Rental delivers to airports, ferry jetties and hotels on Mahé and Praslin, with no deposit and free cancellation. Book your car, load your playlist and go.
